Fr. Peter Damian Harris, O.P.

Vocation and Discernment

How old were you when you first thought/felt you might be called to priesthood?
I felt called to the priesthood at the age of 8.

Did someone else in your life also see that you might be called? Did someone in your life inspire you?
I was inspired by the late Fr. Randolph Ferguson and Fr. Alfred G. Lee-Sang.

What finally made you actively discern?
My love for the poor and the Holy Eucharist .

What drew you to the Dominicans?…to the Southern Province?The mission of the Southern Province, its rich diversity of brother, and their passion of the Holy Preaching that lead me to seriously consider the Dominicans.

Was there an “aha” moment in your discernment? If so, how far along were you in discernment when you experienced it?
It was at dinner with some of the friars that sealed the deal for me. I’ve never felt anywhere so at home outside my country (Jamaica) and family than with the friars of the Southern Province.

What was the hardest thing you gave up when joining the Order?Seeing my family on a regularly basis especially my parents as they get older and require made attention.

Was there ever a time in discernment when you doubted God’s presence, power, or even existence?
Yes, during my last year in formation I struggled with and questioned if God was truly present in my life. I had a difficult time feeling God’s presence in my prayer life. I prayed (common, and privately), I went through Spiritual direction, mediated, and went a retreats, but still struggled with God’s presence in my life.

Looking back, what has been the greatest joy?…the greatest challenge?…the greatest disappointment?
My greatest joy was taking solemn vows.
I think that my greatest challenge was trusting in the formation process. It was difficult to believe that my formators knew what they were doing. Looking back, the issue was not them but being demanding and impatient.
I was disappointed with brothers who have decided that they no longer called to our way of life. This difficult to break those bounds what was forged during the novitiate and those years in the Studium.

How do the people you’ve known since before you were a friar (e.g., family and old friends) relate to you now?How would they describe you, then and now?
All my friends and family for extremely proud of my decision to be priest. The only change(s) is that I am now expected to do their weddings, children’s baptisms, and offer free advice and encouragement at any given hour. I never expected my parents to call me “Father”; in fact, my father calls to “Damian” and my mother calls me “Toney”

What is your dream ministry?
I would like to be a chaplain at a University at some point in my Dominican life

Bio

Where are you from?
I was born in Kingston, Jamaica (West Indies).

How many places have you lived? Where are/were they?Scotland (UK)
Ottawa, Ontario.
New Orleans, LA
St. Louis, MO
Irving, TX

How big is your family?
My family consists of an elder sister, older brother, mum and dad.

Are you a convert or “cradle” Catholic?
I’m a covert from Protestantism

If you are a convert, share your conversion story.
I went to Catholic school ran by the Sisters of Mercy (RSM), and it was there that I was introduced to Catholic Church. I remember my first time at mass and during the consecration I saw a hand in the host calling me. It was from that movement I left that my called to the priesthood.

When growing up, what were some of your favorite activities?
Fishing, Football, Cricket and Badminton.

What did you do prior to entering the Order?
I taught religion for a year in a catholic elementary school.

What is your favorite music? Band? Or other form of entertainment?
Classical, Soca, Reggae, Salsa, and Jazz, and Disco music.

What is your favorite form of literature? Your favorite book? Why?
C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and all the Narnia books. To be honest, words can’t capture how much I love these books.

What do you do for fun? What is your favorite pastime?
Stamp collecting, visiting antique shops, walking, going to the cinema.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would love to visit Kenya and Australia.

What is the one thing that annoys you the most?
People talking during movies.

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We are the Dominican Friars of Memphis, part of the worldwide Order of Preachers founded in 1216. We have continuously served Memphis since 1845. We are part of the Province of Saint Martin de Porres in the Order of Friars Preachers serving the Southern United States.

This vocations website is part of our community’s Holy Preaching – inspiring others via spoken and written word to answer God’s call to be a priest, brother or friar.